Ben Halloran is hoping Adelaide United can draw on its solid performances at the start of the season to rediscover its belief and restore confidence.
The Reds have lost its last three matches and have slipped to eighth on the table ahead of its meeting with league leaders Central Coast Mariners on Friday night.
Despite United’s stuttering form, Halloran insisted the side has the ability to bounce back and change its fortunes.
“We just have to stick together,” a defiant Halloran told reporters in a press conference at Coopers Stadium.
“Obviously losing three games in a row, I think also the manner in which we have lost is just not good enough.
“But I think it’s important to stick together, not to point fingers or make excuses.
“We’re the ones who are going to have to turn it around and I think we’re capable of doing that.”
Contrastingly, the Mariners have won its previous three matches and have surprised many this season.
But Halloran was confident they could cause the Gosford outfit problems given the Reds’ stronger performances at home.
“We’ve been pretty strong at home, we shouldn’t have lost to Perth the other week,” he said.
“We’ll analyse them over the next couple of days. I think we’re working a lot more this week on tactics and making sure we know exactly what we need to do when we go out on the pitch.”
Halloran added: “But I think if you look at a team like Central Coast they’ve just got so much belief at the moment.
“It’s not like they have the best team in the league at the moment, so I think it will come down to belief and I think that’s what we need to draw on.”
One player who will be unavailable for the Mariners clash and indeed for some time is Nathan Konstandopoulos.
The 24-year-old midfielder unfortunately ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in training on Monday, the same injury he sustained in his opposite knee last year in February.
“We’re devastated for him,” Halloran said.
“He worked so hard to get back from his other knee injury last year and for it to happen again so soon after the previous one, we’re absolutely gutted for him.
“… When given a chance he’s been great, scoring a couple of goals off the bench and when he’s started, he’s done really well as well.
“So I think from that perspective as well it’s a massive loss.”
Next match details:
Game date: Friday, 19 February vs Central Coast Mariners
A-League 2020/21 – Matchweek 09
Kick-off 6.35pm ACDT
Gates open 5.35pm ACDT
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Broadcast: Fox Sports
Stream: Kayo Sports, MyFootball Live App
